Custodian
About The Position
The Custodian supports janitorial services at LifeLine Animal Project facilities, with a focus on the laundry and dish areas as well as animal holding and outdoor areas. The role helps improve shelter cleanliness and appearance and supports animal care, sanitation, and the orderly operation of shelter spaces. Employees are expected to uphold LifeLine’s organizational values and perform duties in accordance with shelter policies and applicable health, safety, and animal-welfare regulations. Other duties or special projects may be assigned as needed. The position requires compassion for animals and the people who care for them, customer service skills, integrity, teamwork, adaptability, and the ability to follow instructions and safety protocols. The employee must be comfortable working around animals of varied sizes, breeds, and temperaments, including stray, sick, injured, vicious, or quarantined animals, and cope with the emotional impact of animal abuse, neglect, and euthanasia cases. The role involves standing for extended periods, bending and reaching, and lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds without assistance. Work may involve unpleasant kennel smells.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent knowledge and experience; applicants must be 18 or older.
- Compassion for animals and the people who love and care for them.
- Ability to serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Ability to stand for extended periods, up to 12 hours a day, and bend and reach to perform assigned work.
- Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds without assistance.
- Ability to communicate, understand, and follow oral and written instructions and procedures.
- Ability to work well in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
- Comfort working around dogs and cats of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments.
- Ability to follow safety protocols and handle challenging situations calmly and professionally.
- Ability to collaborate with multiple departments to support efficient shelter operations.
- Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and remain composed under pressure.
- Ability to be around impounded dogs, cats, and other animals, including vicious, stray, sick, or injured animals.
- Ability to handle seeing and dealing with animals that have been abused, neglected, or treated cruelly.
- Ability to cope with the emotional impact of euthanasia cases.
- Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and varying shifts based on shelter needs.
- Must pass a background check.
Responsibilities
- Uphold LifeLine Animal Project’s standards and values.
- Sort, wash, dry, fold, and store shelter laundry in the appropriate location.
- Wash and sanitize dishes and other shelter items, then store them appropriately.
- Maintain the organization of laundry, food preparation, sallyport, barn, and assigned storage spaces.
- Maintain the cleanliness and functionality of washers, dryers, dishwashers, and other utilities used for daily work.
- Monitor and clean assigned walls, doors, door handles, and other surfaces.
- Empty and service outdoor trash receptacles, including those in play yards and common areas.
- Maintain the dumpster area and trash-can storage area in the employee parking lot.
- Notify the supervisor when laundry and dish-area supplies are low and need to be ordered.
- Assist other departments as assigned by supervisors and managers.
- Immediately report safety hazards to supervisors.
- Maintain assigned outdoor areas and spot-clean the Sally Port, sweeping as needed.
- Keep walkways, animal areas, and equipment properly maintained to support shelter cleanliness and organization.
- Sanitize walls, doors, and interior and exterior glass in assigned hallways; keep doors and walls free of stains, streaks, feces, blood, dirt, and urine.
- Mop assigned hallways.
- Ensure package alerts are handled appropriately and keep the Sally Port tidy and clear of clutter.
- Model proper animal handling, safety protocols, and compassionate care.
- Maintain disease-control, animal-health, and sanitation protocols.
- Perform animal-care activities in compliance with shelter policies and relevant health, safety, and animal-welfare regulations.
- Safely handle animals, including bite-quarantine animals, vicious animals, and feral cats.
- Recognize signs of animal stress, illness, or behavioral concerns and report them for assessment or intervention.
- Ensure animals receive appropriate care, including feeding, exercise, and medical needs, as directed by shelter veterinarians or behaviorists.
- Notify kennel management or veterinary personnel when animals are in distress.
- Help support and engage volunteers assisting animal-care teams.
- Maintain a clean and tidy work area.
- Perform other tasks as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
